On Wednesday 7 March, members of Falmouth Lifeboat Crew, management, fundraisers and volunteers gathered at Falmouth Council Chambers to be presented with the Spirit of Falmouth Award to recognise their work supporting the community.

Tribute was also paid to the fantastic efforts regarding the recent fundraising appeal, to raise money for the improvements to the lifeboat station to house the stations new Atlantic class inshore lifeboat in 2019 and enhance facilities for the crew.

Receiving the flag from Mayor Grenville Chappel, who paid testament to the work of the crew and all involved, Falmouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Alan Rowe said:

‘The crew in Falmouth are dedicated, as are our friends who help and support us, the shore crew, helpers, those in the shop and anyone that has been involved have supported us 100%.’

Coxswain Jon Blakeston paid tribute to the commitment of the crew and team by saying:

‘Thank you for the crew for always being there and committing the huge amount of time they do. But it’s vital to have all of the support team in their roles too, educating people, minimising the number of shouts we have to go out on and raising funds for the vast expense in getting our boats to sea. Thanks to everyone involved in Falmouth Lifeboat Station and to Mayor Grenville Chapell and all the council officials; it's an honour to be recognised in this fashion.’

Notes to the Editors

2018 is the fourth year of the Annual Spirit of Falmouth award, previously won by the Falmouth Marine Band, Falmouth Cruise Ship Ambassadors and the Falmouth Pink Wig Ladies.

Falmouth Lifeboat Station fundraising appeal is still underway. If you wish to contribute, please get in touch with falmouth@rnli.org.uk.

Visitors are welcome at Falmouth Lifeboat Station, one of a number of stations around the coast designated as an ‘Explore Station.’ As such, the station is open to visitors for most of the year, subject always to operational requirements. The station is open for visits this 2018 season from 26 March to 27 October: Monday - Friday 11am to 4pm; Saturdays 11am to 1pm.

A team of volunteers provide free guided tours of the lifeboats. There is no need to book, just go into the lifeboat shop attached to the station.

Key facts about the RNLI

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is the charity that saves lives at sea. Our volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service in the United Kingdom and Ireland from 238 lifeboat stations, including four along the River Thames and inland lifeboat stations at Loch Ness, Lough Derg, Enniskillen and Lough Ree. Additionally the RNLI has more than 1,000 lifeguards on over 240 beaches around the UK and operates a specialist flood rescue team, which can respond anywhere across the UK and Ireland when inland flooding puts lives at risk.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. As a charity it is separate from, but works alongside, government-controlled and funded coastguard services. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824 our lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved at least 140,000 lives. Volunteers make up 95% of the charity, including 4,600 volunteer lifeboat crew members and 3,000 volunteer shore crew. Additionally, tens of thousands of other dedicated volunteers raise funds and awareness, give safety advice, and help in our museums, shops and offices.